← Years 5–6 Data & Information

Pie charts

A circle chart split into slices. Each slice shows how big one part is compared with the whole, often as a percentage. All the slices add up to 100%.

Part of: 5-6 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Data, Information and Privacy — Module 34, VCE Applied Computing - U1O1 - Data analysis — Module 62, VCE Data Analytics - U3O1 - Data Analytics — Module 115, 7-8 Digital Technologies: Analysing and visualising data — Module 21, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Analysing and Visualising Data — Module 40, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Analysing and Visualising Data — Module 31

Understanding Pie charts in Years 5–6 Data & Information

What it does: The slice sizes 40%, 35% and 25% add up to 100%, so together they make the whole pie. Each slice is a part of one whole group (the class), so a pie chart is a good choice. A pie chart shows parts of one whole. A line chart is better for change over time. All the slices of a pie chart add up to 100%, which is the whole circle. 25% is one quarter, so the slice takes up a quarter of the circle. Too many slices make a pie chart hard to read. A bar chart works better then.

Common mistakes: The slices of a pie chart must add up to 100%. 60% + 30% + 20% is 110%, so Dogs should be 50%. 5 out of 20 students is 25%, not 50%. Cats should be 25%.

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 31–56) and word search (Modules 21–56).

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Each concept is reinforced from every angle — learned, then applied, then tested.

Learning
Duo
Which job is a pie chart best at showing?
How each part makes up a wholeHow a value changes over many days
Matches
Pie chart slices: 50%, 40%, 30%
↓
The slices add up to 120%, but a pie chart must add up to 100%. Change a value, for example to 50%, 30%, 20%.
Applying
Meanings
Term
pie chart
Meaning
A circle chart split into slices. Each slice shows how big one part is compared with the whole, often as a percentage. All the slices add up to 100%.
Practice
<style>
Testing
Gaps
=B2/(B2:B5)
Check Answer
Spots
1chart = pie
2Dogs = 60%

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Quick Questions

1. Which job is a pie chart best at showing?
A. How a value changes over many days
B. How each part makes up a whole ✓
A pie chart shows parts of one whole. A line chart is better for change over time.
2. In a pie chart, what does each slice stand for?
A. One part of the whole ✓
B. The whole data set
Each slice is one part. The whole circle is the whole data set.
3. Mia surveys her class about favourite lunch items. All slices on her pie chart are added together. What should they make?
A. 50%
B. 100% ✓
All the slices of a pie chart add up to 100%, which is the whole circle.
4. A class survey shows 25% of students walk to school. How much of the pie chart is that slice?
A. A quarter of the circle ✓
B. Half of the circle
25% is one quarter, so the slice takes up a quarter of the circle.
5. Which data suits a pie chart better?
A. How a class of 24 students travel to school ✓
B. The temperature each day for 30 days
Travel types are parts of one whole class. Temperature across days is change over time, so a line chart is better.

Match the Pairs

pie chart → A circle chart split into slices that shows how each part makes up a whole
25% → A slice that is one quarter of the whole pie
All the slices of a pie chart add up to the whole, which is 100% → 40% + 35% + 25% = 100%
Use a pie chart to show parts of one whole, like how a class's favourite pets are shared out → Pie chart: Dogs 50%, Cats 30%, Fish 20%
Pie chart slices: 50%, 40%, 30% → The slices add up to 120%, but a pie chart must add up to 100%. Change a value, for example to 50%, 30%, 20%.
Pie chart of daily temperatures: Mon 22, Tue 25, Wed 19, Thu 28, Fri 24 → Temperatures are not parts of a whole, so a pie chart is the wrong choice. Use a line chart or column chart instead.

Key Term

pie chart
A circle chart split into slices. Each slice shows how big one part is compared with the whole, often as a percentage. All the slices add up to 100%.

Fill in the Blanks

1. =B2/SUM(B2:B5)
Hint: Type the function that adds up all the parts to find the whole.
2. percent = part / total * 100
Hint: Type the number you multiply by to turn a fraction into a percentage.
3. slice1 + slice2 + slice3 = 100%
Hint: Type the total percentage that all the slices in a pie chart add up to.
4. Parts of a whole: use a pie chart
Hint: Type the kind of chart that shows how parts make up a whole.
5. =B2/B6*100
Hint: Type the cell reference that holds the total (the whole).

Spot the Error

Question 1
A chart = pie
B Dogs = 60%
C Cats = 30%
D Fish = 20%
Line B — The slices of a pie chart must add up to 100%. 60% + 30% + 20% is 110%, so Dogs should be 50%.
Question 2
A Total students = 20
B Dogs = 10 students = 50%
C Cats = 5 students = 50%
D Fish = 5 students = 25%
Line C — 5 out of 20 students is 25%, not 50%. Cats should be 25%.
Question 3
A Goal: show change over a year
B Best chart: pie chart
C Pie charts do not show change
Line B — A pie chart shows parts of a whole, not change over time. A line chart is the better choice, so line 2 should say line chart.
Question 4
A Each slice is one part
B Bigger value = bigger slice
C Smaller value = bigger slice
Line C — The size of a slice matches the size of the part. A smaller value gets a smaller slice.
Question 5
A chart = pie
B title = Lunch Choices
C slices = Roll, Wrap, Salad
D colour = same for all slices
Line D — Each slice needs its own colour so you can tell the parts apart. It should be one colour per slice.

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